Domestic Species Research Articles

Spillover of Newcastle disease virus to Himalayan Griffon vulture: a possible food-based transmission.

The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) affects wild and domesticated bird species, including commercial poultry. Although the diversity of NDV in domestic chickens is well documented, limited information is available about Newcastle disease (ND) outbreaks in other bird species. We report an annotated sequence of NDV/Vulture/Borjuri/01/22, an avirulent strain of NDV reported from Borjuri, Northeast India, in Himalayan Griffon vulture. The complete genome is 15,186 bases long with a fusion protein (F) cleavage site 112GRQGR↓L117. The phylogenetic analysis based on the F protein gene and the whole genome sequence revealed that the isolate from the vulture belongs to genotype II, sharing significant homology with vaccine strain LaSota. The study highlights the possible spillover of the virus from domestic to wild species through the food chain.

Validation of a Forensic Method to be used in Food Fraud Investigation

Food fraud is the act in which food is purposefully mislabeled, adulterated, or contaminated, often to make up a percentage of a missing substance when the product is being made. It is often done purposefully to mislead consumers into thinking some ingredient is or is not present in the food, which can be hazardous to the consumer. This project aimed to validate a forensic domestic animal species reference ladder and multiplex PCR kit that can be used in animal investigations, with a focus on food fraud. A multiplex PCR protocol targeting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers and a species reference ladder can quickly identify DNA from chicken, cow, sheep, turkey, goat, horse, dog, and cat. To validate the kit, it was tested on five different brands of dog food, specifically four brands of kibble alongside a canned wet stew dog food. DNA extraction was performed using the QIAamp MinElute Column kit or the Qiagen EZ1 investigator kit, then DNA quantification, multiplex PCR, gel electrophoresis, and capillary electrophoresis to build species mtDNA profiles for each food’s contents. Results from one dog food kibble yielded some speculation as DNA for sheep and goat contents not listed in the ingredients were detected using both the gel and capillary electrophoresis.

Discovery of the Larvae and Pupae of the Black Fly Simulium (Gomphostilbia) khelangense and Breeding Habitats of Potential Pest Species of the S. (G.) chumpornense Subgroup (Simuliidae)

Two species of black flies (Simuliidae) in Thailand, Simulium chumpornense Takaoka and Kuvangkadilok, 2000, and S. khelangense Takaoka, Srisuka & Saeung, 2022, are potent vectors of avian blood protozoa of the genera Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma and are pests of domestic avian species. Although the adults are abundant throughout Thailand, information on their breeding habitats is limited, and the immature stages of S. khelangense are unknown. We collected the larvae and pupae of S. khelangense from the Mekong River, the first-ever record of Simuliidae from this large continental river. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I and internal transcribed spacer 2 were used to associate the larvae and pupae with known adults. Both genetic markers strongly supported their identity as S. khelangense. The larvae and pupa of S. khelangense are described. The pupal gill filaments, larval abdominal protuberances, and setae distinguish this species from other members of the S. varicorne species group. The immature stages of S. chumpornense inhabit a wide variety of flowing waters, from small streams (3 m wide) to enormous continental rivers (400 m wide); thus, S. chumpornense is a habitat generalist. In contrast, S. khelangense was found only in the large Mekong River and is, therefore, a habitat specialist. Both species can exploit their principal habitats and produce abundant adult populations.

Nutritional value of meat from selected neotropical reptiles

This is the second part of a two-part review. The first part focused on the nutritive value of meat and meat products of selected neo-tropical mammals with the potential for domestication. The objective of this current review was to investigate the nutritional qualities and carcass traits of selected neotropical reptiles compared to domestic species, focusing on the spectacled caiman, iguana, tegu, and yellow anaconda. Carcass weight analysis revealed that the spectacled caiman and male iguana were efficient converters of live weight to edible carcass weight, with higher yields than other reptiles. Among domestic species, pigs and chickens showed higher carcass yields compared to cattle and lamb. Moisture content in reptile meat was generally higher than in domestic animals, impacting texture and juiciness. Protein content was lower in reptiles but still contributed to daily requirements, while fat content, though generally lower in reptiles, could impact flavor and tenderness. Cholesterol levels were lower in reptiles, particularly the yellow anaconda, making them potentially healthier options for those with cardiovascular concerns. Fatty acid composition analysis indicated varying levels of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, with potential cardiovascular health benefits in reptile meats. Amino acid content, though lower in reptiles compared to domestic species, provided essential building blocks for various physiological functions. Overall, the study highlighted the nutritional value and potential health benefits of including neotropical reptile meat in the human diet, especially as alternative protein sources.

Development and validation of the Axiom-MaruPri SNP chip for genetic analyses of domesticated old world camelids

Camels play a crucial socio-economic role in sustaining the livelihoods of millions in arid and semi-arid regions. They possess remarkable physiological attributes which enable them to thrive in extreme environments, and provide a source of meat, milk and transportation. With their unique traits, camels embody an irreplaceable source of untapped genomic knowledge. This study introduces Axiom-MaruPri, a medium-density SNP chip meticulously designed and validated for both Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius. Comprising of 182,122 SNP markers, derived from the re-sequenced data of nine Indian dromedary breeds and the double-humped Bactrian camel, this SNP chip offers 34,894 markers that display polymorphism in both species. It achieves an estimated inter-marker distance of 14 Kb, significantly enhancing the coverage of the camel genome. The medium-density chip has been successfully genotyped using 480 camel samples, achieving an impressive 99 % call rate, with 96 % of the 182,122 SNPs being highly reliable for genotyping. Phylogenetic analysis and Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components yield clear distinctions between Bactrian camels and dromedaries. Moreover, the discriminant functions substantially enhance the classification of dromedary camels into different breeds. The clustering of various camel breeds reveals an apparent correlation between geographical and genetic distances. The results affirm the efficacy of this SNP array, demonstrating high genotyping precision and clear differentiation between Bactrian and dromedary camels. With an enhanced genome coverage, accuracy and economic efficiency the Axiom_MaruPri SNP chip is poised to advance genomic breeding research in camels. It holds the potential to serve as an invaluable genetic resource for investigating population structure, genome-wide association studies and implementing genomic selection in domesticated camelid species.

Emerging Contributions of Pluripotent Stem Cells to Reproductive Technologies in Veterinary Medicine

The generation of mature gametes and competent embryos in vitro from pluripotent stem cells has been successfully achieved in a few species, mainly in mice, with recent advances in humans and scarce preliminary reports in other domestic species. These biotechnologies are very attractive as they facilitate the understanding of developmental mechanisms and stages that are generally inaccessible during early embryogenesis, thus enabling advanced reproductive technologies and contributing to the generation of animals of high genetic merit in a short period. Studies on the production of in vitro embryos in pigs and cattle are currently used as study models for humans since they present more similar characteristics when compared to rodents in both the initial embryo development and adult life. This review discusses the most relevant biotechnologies used in veterinary medicine, focusing on the generation of germ-cell-like cells in vitro through the acquisition of totipotent status and the production of embryos in vitro from pluripotent stem cells, thus highlighting the main uses of pluripotent stem cells in livestock species and reproductive medicine.

Experimental Inoculation of Pigs with Monkeypox Virus Results in Productive Infection and Transmission to Sentinels

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a re-emerging zoonotic poxvirus responsible for producing skin lesions in humans. Endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, the 2022 outbreak with a clade IIb strain has resulted in ongoing sustained transmission of the virus worldwide. MPXV has a relatively wide host range, with infections reported in rodent and non-human primate species. However, the susceptibility of many domestic livestock species remains unknown. Here, we report on a susceptibility/transmission study in domestic pigs that were experimentally inoculated with a 2022 MPXV clade IIb isolate or served as sentinel contact control animals. Several principal-infected and sentinel contact control pigs developed minor lesions near the lips and nose starting at day 12 through 18 days post-challenge (DPC). No virus was isolated or viral DNA was detected from the lesions; however, MPXV antigen was detected by IHC in tissue from a pustule of a principal infected pig. Viral DNA and infectious virus were detected in nasal and oral swabs up to 14 DPC, with peak titers observed at 7 DPC. Viral DNA was also detected in nasal tissues or skin collected from two principal-infected animals at 7 DPC post-mortem. Furthermore, all principal-infected and sentinel control animals enrolled in the study seroconverted. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that domestic pigs are susceptible to experimental MPXV infection and can transmit the virus to contact animals.

Understanding the behavioural challenges of companion parrots

Background: Parrots can make excellent companions; however, it is important to understand that they are not a truly domesticated species. Their behaviours will be similar to their wild counterparts. Parrots are highly intelligent and have complex social and environmental needs, which can be challenging for an owner to meet. Problem behaviours may be truly pathological, such as feather destructive behaviour and self‐mutilation, or may be normal behaviours, perceived by the owner to be a problem, such as screaming. Enrichment provision is a vital part of their husbandry to encourage species‐appropriate behaviours, in particular, foraging.Aim of the article: This article aims to discuss the most common problem behaviours seen in clinical practice, and to describe a logical approach to their management. Behaviour modification techniques and provision of appropriate enrichment are also discussed.

Skull asymmetry in various sheep breeds: Directional asymmetry and fluctuating asymmetry.

Sheep (Ovis aries) play an important role in the economy of Turkey and the Balkan Peninsula due to their use in farming. As a domesticated species, sheep's morphometric and morphological diversity is likely determined by selective breeding practices rather than geographic distribution. This study aimed to analyse four different sheep breed skulls and reveal skull asymmetry using geometric morphometric methods. For this purpose, 2D images of 52 sheep skulls from different breeds were analysed from the dorsal view of the skull, using 28 landmarks. In the comparison of sheep skulls from the dorsal view, the first principal components for directional asymmetry (DA) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) were 32.98% and 39.62% of the total variation, respectively. Sharri and Ivesi (Awassi) sheep breeds had the broadest distribution of skull shapes among the breeds, while Lara e Polisit was the most conservative breed. DA was used as a measure of biomechanical constraints, and FA was used as an indicator of environmental stress. Consistent with DA, both differences in centroid size and shape between breeds were statistically significant. No differences between males and females related to asymmetry were revealed. Ivesi sheep revealed the highest fluctuating asymmetry. Geometric morphometric methods proved to be a useful tool for distinguishing differences in the shape of the skull of different sheep breeds and also can be useful for taxonomic purposes.

A review on the safety of growth factors commonly used in cultivated meat production.

Growth factors are commonly added to cell culture media in cellular agriculture to mimic the endogenous process of proliferation and differentiation of cells. Many of these growth factors are endogenous to humans and known to be present in the edible tissues and milk of food animals. However, there is little or no information on the use of growth factors intentionally added in food production before the advent of cultivated meat. Ten commonly used growth factors have been reviewed to include information on their mode of action, bioavailability, occurrence in food and food animals, endogenous levels in humans, as well as exposure and toxicological information drawn from relevant animal studies and human clinical trials with a focus on oral exposure. In addition, a comparison of homology of growth factors was done to compare the sequence homology of growth factors from humans and domestic animal species commonly consumed as food, such as bovine, porcine, and poultry. This information has been gathered as the starting point to determine the safety of use of growth factors in cultivated meat meant for human consumption. The change in levels of growth factors measured in human milk and bovine milk after pasteurization and high-temperature treatment is discussed to give an indication of how commercial food processing can affect the levels of growth factors in food. The concept of substantial equivalence is also discussed together with a conservative exposure estimation. More work on how to integrate in silico assessments into the routine safety assessment of growth factors is needed.

Global Research on Bluetongue: A Bibliometric Analysis

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease characterized by swelling and cyanosis of the tongue, capable of infecting both domestic and wild animal species. Bluetongue virus (BTV) can cause an outbreak in any region of the world where favorable temperature and vector presence conditions exist. For this reason, BTV studies remain an active field in the literature and the research network of this field continues to develop. This paper aims to identify the most influential research elements and collaborations in the BTV field, with a discussion of results based on existing literature. To discover the current literature on BTV, the Web of Science database was employed. The dataset consisted of 1315 articles. The “Bibliometrix” R package and the VOSviewer program were utilized for data analysis. The number of BT studies rose dramatically between 2005 and 2016 with the appearance of BTV in Europe. The USA and England were determined as the most influential countries. The Veterinary Microbiology and Medical and Veterinary Entomology journals were identified as the most prominent journals of the field. It has been determined that serological studies have been a focal point and collaborations have been strengthened in the field of BTV. Conversely, financing sources and collaboration levels regarding BTV studies were found to be inadequate in African and Asian countries. This paper is expected to provide information to researchers interested in BTV studies about the intellectual structure of the field.

Lions & sea lions & bears, oh my: utilizing museum specimens to study the ossification sequence of carnivoran taxa

BackgroundMammalian skeletons are largely formed before birth. Heterochronic changes in skeletal formation can be investigated by comparing the order of ossification for different elements of the skeleton. Due to the challenge of collecting prenatal specimens in viviparous taxa, opportunistically collected museum specimens provide the best material for studying prenatal skeletal development across many mammalian species. Previous studies have investigated ossification sequence in a range of mammalian species, but little is known about the pattern of bone formation in Carnivora. Carnivorans have diverse ecologies, diets, and biomechanical specializations and are well-suited for investigating questions in evolutionary biology. Currently, developmental data on carnivorans is largely limited to domesticated species. To expand available data on carnivoran skeletal development, we used micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to non-invasively evaluate the degree of ossification in all prenatal carnivoran specimens housed in the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology. By coding the presence or absence of bones in each specimen, we constructed ossification sequences for each species. Parsimov-based genetic inference (PGi) was then used to identify heterochronic shifts between carnivoran lineages and reconstruct the ancestral ossification sequence of Carnivora.ResultsWe used micro-CT to study prenatal ossification sequence in six carnivora species: Eumetopias jubatus (Steller sea lion, n = 6), Herpestes javanicus (small Indian mongoose, n = 1), Panthera leo (lion, n = 1), Urocyon cinereoargenteus (gray fox, n = 1), Ursus arctos arctos (Eurasian brown bear, n = 1), and Viverricula indica (small Indian civet, n = 5). Due to the relatively later stage of collection for the available specimens, few heterochronic shifts were identified. Ossification sequences of feliform species showed complete agreement with the domestic cat. In caniforms, the bear and fox ossification sequences largely matched the dog, but numerous heterochronic shifts were identified in the sea lion.ConclusionsWe use museum specimens to generate cranial and postcranial micro-CT data on six species split between the two major carnivoran clades: Caniformia and Feliformia. Our data suggest that the ossification sequence of domestic dogs and cats are likely good models for terrestrial caniforms and feliforms, respectively, but not pinnipeds.

Tracking shifts in Society Islands marine subsistence through time: Intra‐site analysis of faunal remains and fishing gear

AbstractWe discuss new data from Colonization Phase and Early Expansion/Development Phase assemblages in the pre‐contact Society Islands. We focus on analysis of marine faunal remains and fishing gear to infer diachronic shifts in subsistence practices at two well‐dated coastal sites. Both Colonization Phase (AD 950–1200) and Early Expansion Phase (AD 1200–1450) faunal assemblages are dominated by fish and mollusks as opposed to animal domesticates. Colonization Phase assemblages see higher capture of Scombrids and higher capture of marine mammals and turtle. Early Expansion fishhook assemblages and faunal remains document a movement towards increased capture of reef fish as well as the adoption of local styles and locally specific fishing practices. Overall, the diachronic trend in the Society Island diets is towards a decrease in turtle, marine mammal, and wild bird remains and an increase in terrestrial domesticated species roughly two hundred years after colonization, similar to patterns seen elsewhere in Eastern Polynesia.

Retrospective Study of Clinicopathological Changes and Prediction Model for Canine Vascular Neoplasms

Vascular neoplasms, including hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and hemangioma (HMA), are more common in dogs than other domestic animal species; however, comprehensive laboratory screening tests for early diagnosis are currently limited. The aims of this study were to investigate general signalments, anatomic locations, and clinicopathological abnormalities of dogs diagnosed with vascular neoplasms and to determine the diagnostic significance of these abnormalities. Retrospective data of dogs with HMA, HSA, and healthy dogs were analyzed. Dogs with HMA and HSA were seniors, with mixed breeds being most affected. HMA affected predominantly non-visceral sites, while HSA was more common in visceral sites, particularly the spleen. In multivariate model analyses, the odds of HMA diagnosis were 5.5 times higher in anemic dogs and 33.0 times higher in lymphopenic dogs compared to dogs without the abnormalities. The odds of HSA diagnosis were 42.5 times higher in anemic dogs, 343 times higher in lymphopenic dogs and 92.7 times higher in dogs with hyperfibrinogenemia compared to dogs without the abnormalities. The study suggested that these identified abnormalities were nonspecific and commonly observed in various chronic diseases, and hence their combination with clinical information, such as diagnostic imaging and histopathology, is important to facilitate a more precise diagnosis of canine vascular neoplasms.

Hepatitis E Virus in Domestic Ruminants and Virus Excretion in Milk—A Potential Source of Zoonotic HEV Infection

The hepatitis E virus is a serious health concern worldwide, with 20 million cases each year. Growing numbers of autochthonous HEV infections in industrialized nations are brought on via the zoonotic transmission of HEV genotypes 3 and 4. Pigs and wild boars are the main animal reservoirs of HEV and play the primary role in HEV transmission. Consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat and close contact with infected animals are the most common causes of hepatitis E infection in industrialized countries. However, during the past few years, mounting data describing HEV distribution has led experts to believe that additional animals, particularly domestic ruminant species (cow, goat, sheep, deer, buffalo, and yak), may also play a role in the spreading of HEV. Up to now, there have not been enough studies focused on HEV infections associated with animal milk and the impact that they could have on the epidemiology of HEV. This critical analysis discusses the role of domestic ruminants in zoonotic HEV transmissions. More specifically, we focus on concerns related to milk safety, the role of mixed farming in cross-species HEV infections, and what potential consequences these may have on public health.

[A historical review of the historical records of house dust mites in Pacific and Latin America Continental countries].

Review the historical records of house dust mites in the countries of the Pacific and continental Caribbean of Latin America. A systematic review was carried out, adapting the PRISMA method, in digital repositories using a combination of the terms in Spanish: "ácaros domésticos" "alergia" and in English: "dust mites" "allergy" with the names of the countries "Costa Rica". "Panamá" "Venezuela" "Colombia" "Ecuador" "Peru" between 1970-2022. The inclusion criteria were presence of the mite species, city or municipality, country, height above sea level and year. A database was built in Microsoft Excel Office 365®. Maps were created using QGIS 3.30 geographic information systems and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the findings. From the search and identification, 3959 references were obtained, of which 133 were considered potentially eligible, of these 45 met inclusion criteria, and only 32 presented records of domestic mite species. Historically there were 424 records and 27 species (18 genera and 9 families). The countries with the most studies and records were Colombia (14 and 242), Panama (8 and 64) and Peru (5 and 74). 66% (281/424) of the records were of the species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (81), followed by Blomia tropicalis (58), D. farinae (40), Chortoglyphus arcuatus (39), Cheyletus sp. (33) and Euroglyphus maynei (30). The species with the greatest altitudinal range were D. pteronyssinus, (2-4800 m.a.s.l) and E. maynei (2- 3399 m.a.s.l). A synthesis was presented on the historical geographical and altitudinal distribution of house dust mites in countries of the Pacific and continental Caribbean of Latin America, which in turn allowed us to determine the species with the greatest records, highlighting those of importance in allergology. These findings are an input for acarological surveillance in public health.

A Principal Components Analysis and Functional Annotation of Differentially Expressed Genes in Brain Regions of Gray Rats Selected for Tame or Aggressive Behavior.

The process of domestication, despite its short duration as it compared with the time scale of the natural evolutionary process, has caused rapid and substantial changes in the phenotype of domestic animal species. Nonetheless, the genetic mechanisms underlying these changes remain poorly understood. The present study deals with an analysis of the transcriptomes from four brain regions of gray rats (Rattus norvegicus), serving as an experimental model object of domestication. We compared gene expression profiles in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, periaqueductal gray matter, and the midbrain tegmental region between tame domesticated and aggressive gray rats and revealed subdivisions of differentially expressed genes by principal components analysis that explain the main part of differentially gene expression variance. Functional analysis (in the DAVID (Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery) Bioinformatics Resources database) of the differentially expressed genes allowed us to identify and describe the key biological processes that can participate in the formation of the different behavioral patterns seen in the two groups of gray rats. Using the STRING- DB (search tool for recurring instances of neighboring genes) web service, we built a gene association network. The genes engaged in broad network interactions have been identified. Our study offers data on the genes whose expression levels change in response to artificial selection for behavior during animal domestication.

Density dependent development in pest and domestic Drosophilidae species

Density dependent development in pest and domestic Drosophilidae species

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant (B.1.617.2) in Domestic Dogs and Zoo Tigers in England and Jersey during 2021.

Reverse zoonotic transmission events of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been described since the start of the pandemic, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) designated the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in animals a reportable disease. Eighteen domestic and zoo animals in Great Britain and Jersey were tested by APHA for SARS-CoV-2 during 2020-2023. One domestic cat (Felis catus), three domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and three Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) from a zoo were confirmed positive during 2020-2021 and reported to the WOAH. All seven positive animals were linked with known SARS-CoV-2 positive human contacts. Characterisation of the SARS-CoV-2 variants by genome sequencing indicated that the cat was infected with an early SARS-CoV-2 lineage. The three dogs and three tigers were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern (B.1.617.2). The role of non-human species in the onward transmission and emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly defined. Continued surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in relevant domestic and captive animal species with high levels of human contact is important to monitor transmission at the human-animal interface and to assess their role as potential animal reservoirs.

Missing History of a Modern Domesticate: Historical Demographics and Genetic Diversity in Farm-bred Red Fox Populations.

The first record of captive bred red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) dates to 1896, when a breeding enterprise emerged in the provinces of Atlantic Canada. Because its domestication happened during recent history, the red fox offers a unique opportunity to examine the genetic diversity of an emerging domesticated species in the context of documented historical and economic influences. In particular, the historical record suggests that North American and Eurasian farm-bred populations likely experienced different demographic trajectories. Here, we focus on the likely impacts of founder effects and genetic drift given historical trends in fox farming on North American and Eurasian farms. A total of 15 mitochondrial haplotypes were identified in 369 foxes from 10 farm populations that we genotyped (n=161) or that were previously published. All haplotypes are endemic to North America. Although most haplotypes were consistent with eastern Canadian ancestry, a small number of foxes carried haplotypes typically found in Alaska and other regions of western North America. The presence of these haplotypes supports historical reports of wild foxes outside of Atlantic Canada being introduced into the breeding stock. These putative Alaskan and Western haplotypes were more frequently identified in Eurasian farms compared to North American farms, consistent with historical documentation suggesting that Eurasian economic and breeding practices were likely to maintain low-frequency haplotypes more effectively than in North America. Contextualizing inter- versus intra-farm genetic diversity alongside the historical record is critical to understanding of the origins of this emerging domesticate and the relationships between wild and farm-bred fox populations.